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Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 keys to unlocking the 4th quarter

By Reed Redmond

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Timberwolves can’t always count on buzzer beaters. Here’s what else they need to do to keep winning close games.

It takes four quarters to win a basketball game. But sometimes, it only takes one to lose. Will this year’s Minnesota Timberwolves be able to convert wins down the stretch?

As I watched the Wolves’ lead slip during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, I was having some flashbacks. In recent years, the Timberwolves have been a terrible fourth quarter team. By last November, a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter felt like a tie game.

On Sunday, I watched that familiar pattern re-emerge. And when Carmelo Anthony hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with under five seconds to go, I braced myself for another disappointing loss.

But last year’s pattern was broken. As time expired, Andrew Wiggins banked a deep 3-ball to bring the Timberwolves’ record to 2-1 on the season.

I’m sure you’ve seen it by now, but I’m also sure you want to see it again.

(Sidebar: Anyone who mentions the screen on that play to me again is no longer my friend.)

On that note, here are four offensive keys to unlocking the fourth quarter for this year’s Timberwolves.

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